It’s hard to believe that it’s already been five years since we opened our beautiful health center in Imperial Valley. Since its opening, the health center has seen 12,199 patients and had 37,254 patient visits — and these numbers continue to grow.
The high-quality health care services and education we provide in this region are critical, because there are not enough health care providers in Imperial County to meet the community’s needs.
This is the first health center Planned Parenthood has opened in Imperial Valley. Previously, residents would have to travel all the way to the El Cajon health center (over 130 miles) in order to get an abortion.
The health center faced fervent opposition during its construction and opening.
Janelle is a Patient Flow Coordinator at the health center and has been there since it opened.
She expressed that the journey of working for Planned Parenthood was one of personal fulfillment, and of educating her friends and family about our services.
“Working at Planned Parenthood got easier for me because in the beginning I was nervous, I was scared, and I was worried about what my family or friends might think, say, or ask,” she said. “It was all new for me as well. I basically had to educate them and remind them why our health center was open, and why it was important for many. I also feel even just talking about our services got easier for me because any time I’m with my friends, I mention about being safe and about the importance of testing, and not to be embarrassed or scared if they need information or an appointment.”
A visual reminder of the opposition was the opening of a “life center,” directly adjacent to our building. A life center is a CPC, or crisis pregnancy center, that dissuades women from having abortions.
“I was surprised when they opened up an Imperial Valley Life Center right next to us! I know you hear about things like that in bigger cities, even in movies, and they actually did build a small center behind our parking lot.”
Alberto Galvan is the Community Engagement Manager at the Imperial Valley Planned Parenthood. This July, he’ll have been there for 5 years.
He discussed the protestors who are against Planned Parenthood’s presence in the community: “The people who are opposed to us are a small group, but very loud,” he said.
“But during our community outreach, a lot of people come up to our tables,” Alberto said. “They say, ‘Thank you for being here. I support you, but I don’t want other people to find out. I like what you’re doing but can’t support you in public.’”
Schools in Imperial Valley have not mandated that sex ed be taught in the schools. But the education team finds other facilities and meeting spaces to conduct Planned Parenthood’s sexual and reproductive education.
“We always get invited to come back,” Alberto said. “There’s been an increase in the number of places we educate; we’re not in schools yet, though.”
Both Alberto and Janelle said that they receive a lot of positive feedback and appreciation from the community.
“When we teach comprehensive sex ed, kids appreciate the information and having the opportunity to ask questions,” Alberto said. “It’s very rewarding to know you’re providing this information they need, and they appreciate it.”
“I’ve had patients thank me for being there for them, or even just for giving them information and making them feel comfortable,” Janelle said. “I’ve had patients ask me also if I liked my job and what I do, because they can tell by the way I interact with them. Those comments always make me feel happy.”
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